expecting mom, talking with a home visitor

What We Do

THV is a free, voluntary program through which early childhood and health professionals regularly visit the homes of pregnant women and families with children under 6 years of age. Through the use of evidence-based models, the program supports positive child health and development outcomes, increases family self-sufficiency, and creates communities where children and families can thrive.

THV includes a broader set of funding that allows communities to select the model best suited for their community. THV is funded through:

  • Texas Nurse Family Partnership (TNFP). TNFP is a model where a nurse regularly visits the home of first time mothers or families with children under age two. Families start TNFP by their 28th week of pregnancy and can receive supports until the child reaches two years of age. Currently TNFP is the only model directly funded by the Texas legislature.
  • Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV). MIECHV is a federal grant that supports the implementation of a combination of the following evidence-based home visiting models: Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), Parents as Teachers (PAT), Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), and Healthy Families America (HFA). Additionally these funds support the coordination of local and state early childhood coalitions to build comprehensive early childhood systems. The unique Texas model utilizes both service and system-level strategies to improve broad child and family outcomes.
  • Healthy Outcomes through Prevention & Early Support (HOPES). HOPES is existing PEI program that provides a variety of innovative community-based initiatives and support for families with children 0-5 years of age.

Who We Serve

Expecting parent(s), caregiver(s), or primary caregiver(s) of a child up to age 5. Roles vary, but center around people who have an ongoing relationship with, and provide physical care, for the child. Families are eligible if the parent or primary caregiver is expecting or parenting a young child, from birth until the child’s sixth birthday or kindergarten entry, whichever occurs first.

Families must reside in the specified service delivery area county or unified service area and exhibit PEI priority characteristics to be eligible.

Map of Providers and Communities

Map of Texas, showing providers across the state. For a text version of THV providers, check the PEI Provider Directory.

*Denotes new grantees for FY23
For additional provider details, see the 2023 provider directory.

How We Measure Success

  • Children remain safe during services, within 1 year (98.0% in FY21) and 3 years.
  • Increase in parent/child interaction, ability to cope with parental stress.
  • Support positive health outcomes by addressing premature birth outcomes, attending well child visits, and support breastfeeding.

Program Data

  • Program Start Date: 2012
  • Target Number of Youth/Families Served Annually, FY23: 6,490
  • Average Number of Youth/ Families Served Per Month, FY21: pending
  • Counties Served: 30
  • Annual Budget for Community Contracts: $21,897,080
  • Total Number of Community Grantees: 23 grantees
  • Average Grantee Budget: $952,047

THV Success Story

Texas Home Visiting (THV) University of Texas Permian Basin (Ector and Midland Counties)

Cara, a mother currently enrolled with the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program, was suffering from severe depression. Because of this, her home visitor provided Cara with extra activities that promoted self-care and would check in on her multiple times per week, in addition to the normal curricula.

Cara’s text to her home visitor sums up the support provided by THV, “I don’t think I’ve told you enough how much I appreciate you. I’m so happy that I signed up for this program and that it put you in our path. My kids have benefitted so much from this program, and me too!! I’ve gotten closer with them, and it’s helped me evolve into a better parent and teacher. You’re a great home visitor. I appreciate you so much! I just wanted to let you know that you’ve made a difference in my life and my kids’ lives.”